Mission Accomplished

The Socceroos have created history by securing a spot in their second consecutive World Cup finals in South Africa 2010. A tough scoreless draw with Qatar gave us the one point we needed to make it mathematically impossible not to finish in the top two spots of the group. We are joined by South Korea and Japan, whose respective results overnight meant that they will also be coming to the party next year.

Pim started with a 4-4-1-1, with the immovable Schwarzer in goals. Chris Coyne was a surprise selection to partner captain Lucas Neill in the centre of defence, with Jason Culina and Scott Chipperfield at left and right back. The tireless Vinnie Grella and Carl Valeri occupied the holding midfielder roles, while Harry Kewell and Mark Bresciano started on the wings. Timmy Cahill made his usual late runs into the box, feeding off the scraps that towering Josh Kennedy provided.

In a dominating performance, the Socceroos can count themselves unlucky not to have won the match. Having the majority of the possession in the first half, the Socceroos played enterprising football, with an early header from Kennedy drifting wide. Cahill followed this up soon after with a magnificent bicycle kick which crashed into the post, while Valeri had a stinging drive headed off the line after great play by Kewell.

The Qataris defended resolutely, and rode their luck at times, but were unable to keep the brilliant Kewell quiet. Constantly swapping flanks with Bresciano, Kewell mesmerised the Qatari defence with his close dribbling and skill. This led to another early chance in the second half, when a Kewell cut back after another mazy run almost deflecting into the net.

The equally brilliant Cahill came closest to opening the scoring in the second half, after a nice sequence of passes allowed the Everton hitman a free half volley from close range. He met the ball beautifully but the Qatari keeper was up to the task, instinctively blocking the shot away.

Coyne came close to scoring his first goal for the Socceroos when his shot off a corner was cleared off the line, while Kennedy almost got lucky after a wayward cross nearly found its way into the top corner (a la Ronaldinho in the 2002 World Cup against England).

Kewell finished up proceedings with yet another skilful run on the left flank, and then to cut back inside before firing a rasping shot with the right boot which the Qatari keeper again did well to block.

As the minutes ticked away, the Socceroo fans rose to their feet in Doha, awaiting the final whistle to confirm their team’s presence at the greatest stage of all. However, they were left with an anxious moment during the final minutes when Neill made a late and rash challenge from behind which earned him a yellow card. With another referee it could very easily have been a red card, and Valeri’s challenge for the resulting loose ball caused a minor melee as players from both sides rushed in to diffuse the situation.

With this fracas out of the way, and several late Qatari corners well defended, the referee blew the final whistle, providing the Socceroos and the Aussie fans with the sweetest sound of all. It might not have been as dramatic as four years ago, but after all the years of misery and last hurdle slip ups, it’s great to be one of the first teams to qualify.

Congratulations and many thanks to the players and staff, and especially Pim, who has – admittedly – come under some scrutiny on this blog. And of course, congratulations to all the Socceroos fans who have cheered the boys on, now we all get to share in the wonderful experience of the World Cup again.